Wells' newest children's book series tackles behaviorial issues
Children's book author and illustrator Rosemary Wells — perhaps best known for her sibling bunny characters “Max and Ruby” of books and television's Nickelodeon — will visit Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville on Monday, Sept 12, to discuss and sign her new book “Hands Off, Harry!”
The book is the first in Wells' 10-part “Kindergators” picture book series (from Katherine Tegen Books and HarperCollins Publishers), looking at some common children's behavioral problems in school.
Continuing with Wells' favorite theme of using animals in her stories, “Kindergators” features young alligators — rather than children — misbehaving in their classroom.
Wells, 68, recently spoke with the Daily Herald in a telephone interview about “Kindergators,” her upcoming appearance at Anderson's and her thoughts on what it takes to be a successful author for children.
Q. Your newest book “Hands Off, Harry!” focuses on a little alligator — Harry — misbehaving in his classroom, and how the situation is eventually resolved by his caring teacher, Miss Harmony. How did you decide to write “Harry” — and the other “Kindergators” books about classroom behavior?
A. I had been listening to the teachers of America — hundreds of them from California to New York — and they all said the same thing: We are getting a phenomenal number of kids in school today who are not socialized properly. Teachers today are having a hard time on the key issue of parent participation. I asked the teachers for a list of behaviors they found most common, most difficult and what their solutions are. “Kindergators” is a lighthearted series that says all of these behaviors are very normal and very common. And it's a celebration of the creativity of American school teachers — these people are my heroes.
Q. What are some upcoming behavioral topics in the “Kindergators” series?
A. The next book is “Miracle Melts Down.” The third book will be “Miguel Makes a Mess.” And Harper (HarperCollins Publishers) has set up a “Kindergators” website at kindergators.com for parents who are dealing with these normal, common behavioral problems with their children.
Q. You've written more than 120 books in the past 40 years — picture books for very young children and chapter books for older kids. Do you ever stop to think about all of the families across the globe reading your stories?
A. I don't think about that, because it's just too big. It's too huge. And it's better that way, because if you start to think about it, then you develop an ego. And the authors who work most successfully work without egos.
Q. What do you enjoy most about meeting with your readers at bookstores like Anderson's?
A. Writing is like being an actor on the stage — without any applause or anyone to throw tomatoes at you. But getting letters from readers and meeting the people who come out to the bookstores helps me, and keeps me positioned for the audience I am writing for. I'll be at Anderson's to sign the new book and answer questions. And people can bring in copies of my older books, and I'll sign those too. Anderson's is one of my favorite bookstores in the world. I'm always delighted to be there.
Q. You have created so many popular characters with your books over the years — from McDuff, the West Highland Terrier, to bunnies Max and Ruby. What is the secret to being such a successful children's book writer?A. The people who write well for children do so because they are in touch with their own childhood. We (children's authors) just never really stepped out of that world, and we can go back to it whenever we want.
If you go
What: Rosemary Wells book signing
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12
Where: Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson St., Naperville.
More information: Call Anderson's at (630) 355-2665, or visit <a href="http://andersonsbookshop.com">andersonsbookshop.com</a>. For information on Rosemary Wells and her books, visit <a href="http://rosemarywells.com">rosemarywells.com</a>.